Steve Comus' Blog

Want some
really great self / home defense handgun ammo? Get some Federal Premium Guard Dog
Home Defense loads.

I had the
pleasure of running some of this ammo through a CZ 75B in .40 S&W.

The
consistency of this ammunition is amazing. For example, the box indicates that
the muzzle velocity for the 135-grain bullet is 1,200 feet per second. Over the
chronograph, through the CZ with its 4.7-inch barrel, the Federal Guard Dog
loads delivered a median speed of 1,223 fps, with extreme spread of 13 fps and
standard deviation of 6 fps. Wow!

In the
shooting, it was clear that this Guard Dog ammo is more accurate than the
shooter (me). Bullet holes happened in the middle of the target when I fired a
quick five-shot string at 10 yards.

The bullet
design in this ammo has been around for a while, but in the past it showed up
primarily around law enforcement circles, etc. It is a proven design.

In recent
times, companies like Federal have been offering more and more products that
are designed specifically for as many real world applications as possible.

These
patented non-hollow-point, expanding full metal jacket (EFMJ) rounds are
available in 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 Auto. All SKU’s for Guard Dog Home Defense
are available now.

Optimal Home Protection

The risk to
loved ones in the home is reduced due to its expanding polymer and large
frontal expansion through all barriers. Federal’s EFMJ technology provides
reliable terminal performance and expansion that isn’t stopped by materials
such as dry wall or light clothing. Standard hollow points can plug up when
traveling through material, which stops or impedes expansion and doesn’t slow
down the bullet. This increases the chance for collateral damage.

Guard Dog
was specifically designed to do just the opposite. Guard Dog opens as it passes
through interior walls, creating a wider surface area and allowing the bullet
to dissipate energy.

The
expanded surface area causes the bullet to slow down with each barrier it comes
into contact with, minimizing collateral damage around the home. Decreased
probability of serious injury to bystanders in other rooms or houses is sure to
make defending home and family with Guard Dog a popular choice.

“Guard Dog
is specially designed to expand every time,” said Brand Director Rick Stoeckel.
“It will perform when you need it most. The non-hollow-point design is
exclusive to Federal. We’ve tested it to minimize the possibility of collateral
damage.”

Guard Dog
Home Defense has a high velocity with low recoil. Exceptional feed and function
in semi-automatic handguns keeps homes and families safe. It also gives
citizens a reliable carry option where hollow-point ammunition is restricted.

This is
serious ammunition that is made well. Not a bad idea to have some around the
house. I know I do.

Steve
Comus is a nationally recognized hunting editor with Safari Club International
and a former WON Guns and Hunting Editor. His column appears every other week
in WON and he can be reached at scomus@cox.net.

FEDERAL
PREMIUM Guard Dog
ammunition is designed for defense. It worked well through author’s CZ 75
pistol.

Steve
These gun/ ammo reviews you are doing are great!
It's hard to find good information about guns that is written in a way us regular folks can understand. I would never have understood for instance why this ammo might be something I might buy based on the name alone, or what makes it better (safer) than some other load for home/personal defense.
Usually these types of gun articles focus so much on the "stopping power" of a bullet, bullet expansion, etc. and quite honestly the safety of my family and neighbors is of much more concern to me. I'm pretty sure that if I was ever forced to shoot someone at close range with my 9mm that he will no longer be a threat, and knowing that this bullet will lose a lot of it's power after it hits almost anything is a huge plus.